Dissent in Hizb ranks; Commander joins JuM

20 October 2002The Times of India

Srinagar: Voices of dissent have erupted from Hizbul Mujahideen outfit once again with one of its self-styled battalion commanders for Lolab in frontier district of Kupwara, Muneeb-ul-Islam, on Monday joining another pro-Pak outfit, Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen. In a faxed statement to local news organisations on Monday, Islam said he along with his battalion was joining JuM for its ''uprightness and clear-cut policies''. He said he was associated with Hizbul Mujahideen for the past 12 years and found that there was a difference between the words and deeds of the leaders of the outfit. Islam said the Amir (chief) of Jamaat-e-Islami Ghulam Mohammad Bhat does not consider the ongoing armed struggle as jehad (holy war), but in contrast the supreme commander of Hizbul Mujahideen Syed Sallahuddin describes it (armed struggle) as imperative for every Muslim. Despite the sharp ideological difference between Jamaat and the outfit (Hizbul Mujahideen), the outfit leaders have not mended their ways, he said. Against this, the battalion commander said, the active militants of the outfit were not being given due attention. Despite repeated requests, mujahideen''s (militants) war needs are not being met, he said. He said deserters of the outfit were left without any action, as a result they got involved in anti-movement activities. ''I repeatedly brought these matters before the leadership of the organisation but they gave no attention,'' he said and announced his decision to join JuM.